15-year-old shooting victim is identified

July 31, 2009

A 15-year-old boy who was fatally shot Thursday afternoon while riding his bicycle on the Northwest Side was identified this morning as Omar Sanchez, of the 2900 block of West Shakespeare Avenue. Sources said his slaying appeared to be gang-related.

Omar was struck in the back by gunfire in the 4000 block of West Palmer Avenue at about 5:30 p.m., police spokesman John Mirabelli said.

He rode his bike until he collapsed about two blocks west in the 2100 block of North Kedvale Avenue, Mirabelli said. He was rushed to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:07 p.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Police only had a vague description of the gunman and had not made an arrest Thursday night, Mirabelli said.